The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Social studies teacher Mitchell Joy lectures during his AP World History class last school year. While the school policy on students use of phones in class has not changed since last year, many teachers have increased their enforcement of the policy.
Teachers increase phone policy enforcement
Dr. Thomas Taylor, the Board of Education's pick for the next superintendent, stands with members of the Board at the announcement on Monday. Taylor is a graduate of MCPS but has never worked for the district. (Courtesy MCPS News)
Dr. Thomas Taylor to be appointed MCPS superintendent
Incoming SGA plans for successful school year
Incoming SGA plans for successful school year
From left: Junior Honorary officer Skylar Zheng, junior Secretary Alexis Batac, junior President Sareen Papangelou. The officers of the Southeast Asian Union pose in front of a mural in the school. The club will join the school roster for the 2024-2025 school year, and all are welcome.
Southeast Asian Union to bring region’s culture, food to WJ
Film Club members gather around a table at Cabin John Park before the Oscars begin. Months of meetings and film discussions culminate in this special occasion, where students can finally showcase their movie-making abilities. (Courtesy Delina Palma)
Making Scorsese proud: Film Club Oscars strike again
MCPS Board of Education members raise their hands in favor of delaying construction at Woodward and Crown High Schools. The plan specifically calls for delaying auditoriums at both schools until funds are appropriated for their construction.
Live updates: MCPS Board meeting 6/11
Columbia University is one of many schools across the United States where large groups of students have been protesting at.
Columbia protests escalate
Item bought online from "Demons Basement".
What’s wrong with these new online clothing brands?
The human mind is complex and may be a daunting concept for students. (Courtesy Rawpixel)
Why everyone should take AP Psychology
Travis Hunter is one of the most valuable college football players in the country. He moved from Jackson State University to the University of Colorado to join his former coach Dion Sanders. Hunter has an NIL evaluation of $2.7M according to On3.
College sports are ruined
ASL 2 students on the Gallaudet field trip watch their tour guide explain the life of the university’s founder, Laurent Clerc, pictured in the statue to the guide’s left. The tour guide signed in ASL throughout the tour and an interpreter translated his signs into English.
High school field trips benefit students and learning alike
Students sit in rows for very extensive hours as they take exams. This is a common scene all across the US, however in MCPS this sight cannot be found. (Courtesy Pexels)
Point counterpoint: Should there be final exams?
The new movie poster for the upcoming film "Inside Out 2." The poster features existing emotions from it's past film, as well as new emotions such as Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, Nostalgia and Ennui.
Inside Out 2: Preview into the realm of new emotions
Zendaya scowls into the lenses of paparazzi on the Met Gala carpet. 2024 was Zendaya’s first year co-chairing the Met as she hadn’t attended the red carpet spectacle in five years. (Courtesy Getty Images)
The Met Gala: rating 2024’s best and worst dressed
Twenty One Pilots "Clancy" review
Twenty One Pilots “Clancy” review
Billie Eilish released her third studio album "Hit Me Hard and Soft," on May 17. All 10 songs on her brand new album were able to make their way up into the Billboard Hot 100. (Courtesy Glenn Francis via Wikimedia Commons)
Billie Eilish: “Hit Me Hard and Soft” most viral tracks
Drake performs on his Summer Sixteen tour in 2016. Along with many other rappers, he was accused of being an industry plant at the beginning of his career. (Courtesy The Come Up Show)
Are industry plants real?
Coming soon: movies coming out in 2024
Coming soon: movies coming out in 2024
Students hard at work during class. Many students struggle with balancing work with play. Students share how they overcome distractions and prioritize their work.
Balance between school life and extracurriculars and athletics
The Oreos have been a classic cookie for generations but which one is the best one? Out of all the different fillings, is there one that stands alone? (Courtesy nicoleleec via Wikimedia Commons)
How much stuf is too much stuff?
Special clubs at WJ to check out
Special clubs at WJ to check out
Sophomore Ahrin Letourneau looks through the College Board website attempting to get information about the SAT and ACT. “I’m feeling scared, petrified to be honest, to be a junior. Summer’s gonna be stressful … and I need to be really thinking about colleges and programs,” Letourneau said.
Previewing the summer by grade
A student reviews the rejection wall. The rejection wall was created to encourage students to know that even if they're rejected, they're not alone. "I'm scared I'll be rejected from the schools I will apply to, so it's comforting to know I wouldn't be the only one," junior Cristina Simpson said.
What summer looks like for rising seniors
From left: Junior Honorary officer Skylar Zheng, junior Secretary Alexis Batac, junior President Sareen Papangelou. The officers of the Southeast Asian Union pose in front of a mural in the school. The club will join the school roster for the 2024-2025 school year, and all are welcome.
Southeast Asian Union to bring region’s culture, food to WJ
The Wildcats make a statement entrance as they prepare to take on Richard Montgomery. WJ would go on to win the game 53-22.
Fall Sports Previews
The WJ Crew team poses for a picture following the Metropolitan Championships. The team had many good races at the tournament, such as the Girls winning the Varsity 4. (Courtesy WJ Crew)
Crew in review: team paddles their way to success
ALL IN THE FOOTWORK: Participants practice their blocking footwork and learn flag football blocking techniques. During the drill, a coach held and moved the ball to one side which participants would have to shuffle over to.
Girls’ flag clinic brings excitement to MCPS
Jonny Venters is one of the only pitchers to ever receive Tommy John's surgery three times. He had the operation performed in 2005, 2013 and lastly in 2014.
Pitchers look to surgery for success
After taking a hard foul, sophomore Norah Youssef takes her first free throw attempt. Youssef sank the shot and added a point to the scoreboard. Youssef had a stunning performance, helping the Wildcats secure the win against Sherwood.
Photo gallery: Summer league basketball
(Courtesy Seattle Parks and Recreation)
Pickleball volleys into WJ this fall
Public Transportation Safety Podcast
Public Transportation Safety Podcast
Up at bat: Duolingo streaks
Up at bat: Duolingo streaks
What is your special talent?
After taking a hard foul, sophomore Norah Youssef takes her first free throw attempt. Youssef sank the shot and added a point to the scoreboard. Youssef had a stunning performance, helping the Wildcats secure the win against Sherwood.
Photo gallery: Summer league basketball
Physics classes visit Six Flags
Siblings Podcast
Siblings Podcast
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Mateus Bouquet

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor

Junior Mateus Bouquet is extremely excited to get started in his first year with the Pitch as a Sports Editor. Along with writing for the pitch, Mateus is a huge football fan and his weekly mood is based on how the Commanders played.

All content by Mateus Bouquet

Girls’ flag clinic brings excitement to MCPS

Joshua Singer and Mateus Bouquet
June 12, 2024
LIVE: Baseball takes on Churchill HS in regional quarterfinal

LIVE: Baseball takes on Churchill HS in regional quarterfinal

Mateus Bouquet and Joshua Singer
May 9, 2024
Senior captain Natalya Krouse walks with her family on the Cats' senior night on May 1. Each senior was given a bouquet of flowers and was greeted by their coaches at the end of the walk.

Girls’ and boys’ lacrosse dominate on senior night

Lily Tapparo and Mateus Bouquet
May 9, 2024
Senior defenseman Dylan Minnick sets himself up for the opposing offensive push. Minnick has been a leader for the Wildcats team all season.

Boys’ lacrosse extends win streak to five games

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
May 1, 2024
LIVE: Softball takes on Damascus HS

LIVE: Softball takes on Damascus HS

Mateus Bouquet and Seyun Park
April 20, 2024
LIVE: Baseball takes on Walt Whitman HS

LIVE: Baseball takes on Walt Whitman HS

Mateus Bouquet and Joshua Singer
April 16, 2024
Junior defenseman John Jernell presses up on the incoming Quince Orchard attackman. The Cats fell 7-10 on home turf, and play Rockville tonight. (Courtesy John Jernell)

Boys lacrosse bests B-CC, tumble against QO

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
April 16, 2024
Junior attacker Ryan Gardner assesses the field before making an offensive push towards the net.

Boys’ lacrosse week in review

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
April 8, 2024
Team captain and starting pitcher Sami Rosenberg lifts the region champion plaque over her head as teammates celebrate. WJ softball won its region in 2023, a feat the team hopes to repeat this year.

Spring Sports Previews

Seyun Park, Anna Zucconi, Joshua Singer, Lily Tapparo, Hillevi Schine, Mateus Bouquet, Jeremy Silberglied, Elizabeth Finn, Cecilia Saltzman, Michelle Kim and Mackenzie Norris
March 20, 2024
Senior Guard Tyrese Rucker sinks a three during the Wildcat's first-half dominance. Despite the strong first half, the team's season ended with a 48-53 loss.

Cats stunned by Bulldogs in first round of playoffs

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
March 11, 2024
Senior Guard Isaiah Nickelson shoots the game-sealing free throw in the Wildcats' win over Whitman.

Boys’ basketball slips past Whitman

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
February 20, 2024
The All-Star game will be played in Indianapolis on Feb.18. WIth the three-point contest starting at 8. p.m.

NBA, WNBA stars face off in 3-point contest

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
February 15, 2024
Cats basketball held off in frustrating loss

Cats basketball held off in frustrating loss

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
February 2, 2024

Pitch Picks: Super Bowl LVIII Predictions

Lily Tapparo, Joshua Singer, Audrey Ring, Mateus Bouquet, Mackenzie Norris, Anna Zucconi and Elizabeth Finn
February 2, 2024
Wildcat players huddle up before their matchup.

Wildcats fall to Churchill, Paint Branch

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
January 24, 2024
Wildcats claw past Northwood in bounce-back win

Wildcats claw past Northwood in bounce-back win

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
January 12, 2024
Senior guard Tyrese Rucker throws down the transition dunk. The Cats propelled past the Hornets 71-50 in their fourth quarter surge.

Boys’ basketball pulls past Damascus in home-opening victory

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
December 15, 2023
Winter sports previews

Winter sports previews

Jeremy Silberglied, Anna Zucconi, Mackenzie Norris, Peter Kahrl, Mateus Bouquet and Lily Tapparo
December 5, 2023
Senior linebacker Dylan Minnick tackles junior Blair wide receiver Jay Mendoza in the second round of the MPSSAA playoffs. With the Wildcat's win over the Blazers, the Cats advanced to the school's first-ever state quarterfinal.

Wildcats down Blazers, look to biggest football game in school history

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
November 17, 2023
Senior Pierce Goodenow rushes past the High Point defense. The Wildcats defeated the Eagles 61-12 on Friday, Nov. 3.

Photo gallery: Wildcats take down High Point in first round of playoffs

Ely Snow, Joshua Singer and Mateus Bouquet
November 10, 2023
Senior Nick Zampardi dives in an attempt to block the game-winning field goal from Bulldogs kicker Nasim Elkhassem, who joined the team less than a month before the game.

Football falls to Churchill in heartbreaking fashion

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
November 3, 2023
Senior receiver Daniel Kenvo suits up for their face-off against the Vikings. After eight season games, the Wildcats prepare for their toughest matchup against the Churchill Bulldogs.

Previewing Wildcats, Bulldogs matchup

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
October 20, 2023
"For All The Dogs" is Drake's eighth studio album. Following its release, Drake announced that he would be taking a break from his music career in order to focus on his health.

Drake’s “For All The Dogs” album review

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
October 20, 2023
Junior John Jernell and sophomore running back Dylan Byrd celebrate scoring a touchdown against the Blair Blazers. Byrd has been a key player for the Wildcats offense this season.

Wildcats bolt past Blazers in Homecoming win

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
October 13, 2023
Sophomore Dylan Byrd attempts an end zone catch. Byrd rushed for 173 yards with one touchdown against Paint Branch.

Wildcats fight off Panthers, Patriots in striking triumphs

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
September 29, 2023
Senior defensive back Nick Zampardi makes an impressive play on the ball forcing a breakup on second down. Zampardi will look to extend his great start to the year against Paint Branch Thursday.

Wildcats hammer Vikings in blowout victory

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
September 20, 2023
The Wildcats make a statement entrance as they prepare to take on Richard Montgomery. WJ would go on to win the game 53-22.

Photo gallery: Wildcats shoot down Rockets in delayed home opener

Ely Snow, Mateus Bouquet and Nick Opipari
September 14, 2023
Sophomore Dylan Byrd maneuvers past defenders to get the Wildcats inside the 5 yard-line. Byrd is looking to build on his impressive freshman season and has been off to a hot start so far.

Football squeezes out close win over B-CC

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
September 8, 2023
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